14 Comments

1. Ruth on June 21, 2012 at 5:57 pm

   I’ll be going on a trip with family in July so this is really timely. #3 will be the hardest to accomplish for sure. I have a relative that tends to get offended if everyone doesn’t want to spend every minute together! I’ll have to think of a nice way to explain that togetherness is more fun if you have some breaks! I like being the “planner” when it comes to traveling but never before thought of your other tips for the trip leader being the one to hold onto everything. Great video!

   
   
   
2. Molly on June 21, 2012 at 5:57 pm

   Great topic! We’ve had one complete vacation Fail and a few that were from hell. The fail was one where everything just seemed to go wrong. We were on a road trip and ended up turning around & driving home the day after we reached our destination. And that was a 17 hour drive! 😮

   What I’ve learned from all of the trips we’ve taken is to not have high expectations and to be okay with changing our plans if need be. #2 that you mention, self care, is also something I really need to take care with. It makes such a huge difference!

   
   
   
3. Jennifer Delle Fave on June 21, 2012 at 6:03 am

   Girl, you hit the nail on the head! Maybe “hell” is too harsh for the last vaca I just went on, but it wasn’t much of a vacation for me…my sister got married, which was awesome, but it was not my (or hubby’s) idea of ‘vacation’. It’s hard when you have large groups of people; I can only imagine when we vacation with kids! Great pointers; we definitely should have had a leader…although it probably should have been me,and well, I just didn’t want that responsibility. 🙂

   
   
   
   • Sage on June 21, 2012 at 12:06 pm

     I’ve had plenty of “kinda hellish” vacations too. I usually feel that way when I don’t get to relax as much as I’d like.

     Trip leaders are great to have so at least SOMEONE knows what’s going on. It usually ends up being me too.

     
     
     
4. xvavaveganx on June 20, 2012 at 7:02 pm

   Yay another video! I love it! 🙂 I just subscribed to your YouTube channel 🙂

   This is another great post. I find that vacations can be more stressful than every day life sometimes. Once again your timing is impeccable because I decided that as part of my “Be Kind to Yourself” journey I’ve embarked on since the CSD Cleanse I’m going to save up from side projects I do and tips that I earn and I’m going on vacation at the end of the year! I haven’t been on a proper vacation in years so I’m really excited! I also know that there are things that I have to do that are crucial to this vacation actually being relaxing than stressful.

   I love all of my friends dearly but I know that I would never be able to travel with some of them. We’d end up killing each other, not being friends, or making concessions and having a horrible time. I know this probably sounds horrible but that’s how it is 🙂 I agree with your three tips for sure! I am a vacation planner to the max and my plan for this one is to relax!

   My biggest vacation disaster was that I got super super sick! I was on a family vacation when I was in middle school and I ended up getting the flu and bronchitis at the same time! I don’t even know how that happens. It was so miserable, I was so bummed out! So I guess my tip now that I’m older and wiser is to make sure you do everything you can to stay healthy. Balance indulges with health promoting foods, take your vitamins and take extra vitamin C. Stay healthy and enjoy yourself!

   Can’t wait to see more videos from you! So fun!

   
   
   
   • Undead QB on June 21, 2012 at 8:40 am

     Our worst vacation was also being sick. We were in Disney World (insert shock and awe here) and Sage was sick for the first couple days, then we had 2-3 days of clarity, followed by me getting bird flu for the last 3-4 days. It was awful. We have vowed to NEVER stay at that resort again, just for superstitious reasons (not because the resort got us sick).

     
     
     
     • Sage on June 21, 2012 at 12:04 pm

       You’re so kind to say I was simply “sick.” If you’ll remember, it was 3 days of explosive diarrhea. And you toughed it out with me! It just goes to show what a wonderful husband you are. 🙂

       
       
       
   • Sage on June 21, 2012 at 12:01 pm

     I love the idea of a “Be Kind to Yourself” journey! Everyone should work harder at being good to themselves. Great idea to plan for a vacation and have the deadline be the end of the year. Take a lot of time to plan for how you can make it super relaxing and rejuvenating.

     Traveling with friends tends to bring out the worst in us. Maybe it’s the close quarters? Or too much time together? I also got sick on vacation once, and it was the worst feeling. See my husband’s comment (Undead QB).

     I’m so glad you like the videos! I have more planned. 🙂

     
     
     
5. Tinfoilstiaras on June 20, 2012 at 5:08 pm

   I just went on a work trip (not very vacation like) but I’m EXHAUSTED and got sick because the days were so long and busy! (Also I got stuck in a lightning storm on the flight home- never want to fly again!) I love being a trip leader, I organize my vacations down to where I want to eat 🙂

   
   
   
   • Sage on June 21, 2012 at 11:55 am

     I like being the trip leader too. You can always change things later, and it’s so much better to have a plan than to get there and say, “So what do you want to do?”

     Oh, I hate it when there’s lightning during a plane flight! So scary. 🙁

     
     
     
6. Megan Gann on June 20, 2012 at 11:36 am

   Yep! Hubs and I went to Gatlinburg (tourist town in the mountains) on our first anniversary. Always check the weather forecast before you go somewhere! Seriously it was so cold, the roads were frozen over, ice everywhere. I couldn’t sleep for the cold and the tiny heater in our independent chain motel couldn’t keep up. It didn’t help we were nestled right against the mountain wall.

   And the next day – it probably got up to 60/65F. So we sweated out the afternoon walking around the area, and finally gave up and went home a day early. I was so worn out.

   Also always keep track of your belongings/valuables. Don’t leave them in the motel/hotel. I’ve gone to a number of conventions and over-night stays. It’s best to either leave something locked up in the trunk of the car, leave a Do not disturb sign on the door and do your own cleaning up while you stay.

   I totally agree with the call a truce idea. When you go to “nerd” conventions, it’s very typical to room with anywhere from 4-10 people or at least let them drop their stuff in your room and disappear for the three days. It does save money for all since everyone chips in, but it’s always been so much nicer to have the room to myself (and my hubs) and not worry about so-and-so wanting to come in at 3 am to crash.

   So if we do wind up staying with people, there’s usually a rule that after a certain time, if they’re not back to the room – they have sleep in another friends room for the night to be nice to the other people who are trying to get some sleep and not wake everyone up. It usually goes over well and we didn’t have MANY issues since most people who do those type of conventions know what they’re getting into, but it is always something to consider when you’re sharing a room for whatever reason.

   
   
   
   • Sage on June 20, 2012 at 2:59 pm

     I get so mad when the weather is bad when I’m on vacation! Shouldn’t Mother Nature know I need a break?

     I completely agree with locking up your belongings. Chris and I leave the “do not disturb” sign up throughout the whole vacation because we don’t want anyone in our room.

     I think separating and calling a truce is the most important thing to do when traveling with large groups. Spending some time apart is good for everyone’s mental well-being.

     Great tips! Thanks for sharing your story. (And nerd conventions are the best type of conventions!)

     
     
     
7. Cara on June 20, 2012 at 5:51 am

   These are great tips, Sage! I really try to sneak in some exercise on vacation too, it’s my alone time that helps me stay centered and stress-free (especially when I’m with my family! )

   
   
   
   • Sage on June 20, 2012 at 8:09 am

     I bring my workout clothes with me on vacation too, but I don’t always use them. You’re right about exercise making it easier to stay relaxed and calm with (sometimes difficult) family members.